Public Testimony and Comments

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Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute serves as a trusted voice on issues affecting Hoosiers' financial well-being, from employment conditions to safety net programs to consumer protections and beyond. We share our research and policy analysis directly with policymakers through one-on-one meetings and public testimony, and we regularly comment on administrative proposals and requests for information.

2025 Testimony

Letter to Majority and Minority Federal Legislative Leaders
Urging focus on the critical issue of affordable and accessible childcare
Co-signed by the Institute, April 23, 2025 | PDF

Letter to the Secretary of Labor on Cuts to Child Labor Research
Urging the restoration of grants from the Bureau of International Labor Affairs funding research on child labor
Co-signed by the Institute, April 22, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee
Against HB 1125 "Earned Wage Access Products"
Presented by Erin Macey, April 2, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the House Committee on Employment, Labor, and Pensions
Supporting SB 409: excused absences for case conferences
Presented by Ashley Phillips, April 2, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the House Committee on Financial Institutions
Against the "Rocket Mortgage" Amendment to SB 464
Presented by Erin Macey, March 20, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the House Committee on Employment, Labor, and Pensions
In support of SB 488: Skills Training Pilot Program
Presented by Erin Macey, March 19, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
Testimony on the budget and support for the Newborn Tax Credit
Presented by Olivia Smith, March 18, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the House Committee on Public Health
Against SB 2, which would cut Medicaid for Hoosiers
Presented by Lauren Murfree, March 18, 2025 | PDF

Policy Memo Prepared for Office of Governor
Strengthen Indiana's Infrastructure Workforce by Supporting Parents in Training
Submitted by Erin Macey, March 13, 2025 | PDF

Comment to the Director of Real Estate Allocation
Comments on the 2026-2027 Draft IHCDA Qualified Allocation Plan
Submitted by Erin Macey and Lauren Murfree, March 13, 2025 | PDF

Comment to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate
Demanding Restoration of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Signed by the Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute, March 6, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee
Supporting SB 497 to establish a Newborn Tax Credit for families earning up to 720% of the Federal Poverty Level
Presented by Olivia Smith, February 11, 2025 | PDF

Testimony For the House Government and Regulatory Reform Committee
Opposing HB 1662 that would criminalize individuals experiencing homelessness in Indiana
Prepared by Lauren Murfree (1) and Sarah Conrad (2), February 10, 2025 | PDF 1 : PDF 2

Comments Submitted to the Indiana General Assembly
Supporting SB 317 and SB 337 that would increase medical debt protections and healthcare accessibility
Coordinated by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute Staff, February 11, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the House Committee on Financial Institutions
Opposing HB 1174 that would expand payday lending and reduce consumer protections
Presented by Erin Macey, February 5, 2025 | PDF

Supporting SB 317 that would increase medical debt protections and relief for Hoosiers
Presented by Erin Macey, February 4, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor
Supporting SB 409, Allowing Employee Absence for Certain Meetings
Presented by Erin Macey, January 30, 2025 | PDF

Comments Submitted Before the House Financial Services Committee
Organizations standing with the Institute in opposing HB 1125 that would increase earned wage access
Coordinated by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute Staff, January 28, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the House Financial Services Committee
Opposing HB 1125 that would increase earned wage access while failing to include key consumer protections
Presented by Erin Macey, January 28, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Family and Children's Services
Supporting SB 529 to remove asset limits for SNAP eligibility and reduce administrative program burden
Presented by Erin Macey, January 27, 2025 | PDF

Comment to the U.S. House of Representative and U.S. Senate
Urging against the expiration of the temporary provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2025
Signed by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute, January 27, 2025 | PDF

Comment to the U.S. Department of Labor
Supporting proposed legislation that would end the subminimum wage for workers with disabilities
Coordinated by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute Staff, January 17, 2025 | PDF

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Appropriations
Opposing SB 2 with concerns that reductions in health insurance access would increase medical debt burdens
Presented by Lauren Murfree, Policy Analyst, January 15, 2024 | PDF

Testimony Before the Senate Pensions & Labor Committee
Opposing SB 123 with concerns that cuts to Unemployment Insurance would harm hardworking Hoosiers
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, January 15, 2024 | PDF

2024 Testimony

Testimony Before the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force
Supporting measures that would increase access to affordable healthcare and reduce medical debt burdens
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, October 24, 2024 | PDF

Medical Debt Harms to Consumer Credit Scores and Financial Prosperity Comment to CFPB
Expressing support for the CFPB's proposed rule and need for more regulations around medical debt on credit reports 
Coordinated by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute Staff | PDF

Overdraft Lending: Very Large Financial Institutions Comment to CFPB
Addressing the need for restricting overdraft fees as a way of reducing financial drains 
Coordinated by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute Staff | PDF

Veto Request to Governor Holcomb
Addressing the consumer protection dangers created with HB 1284
Coordinated by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute Staff | PDF

Coalition Letter to the General Assembly in Support of SB 276
Addressing the benefits offered by SB 276 to protect Hoosiers from medical debt
Coordinated by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute Staff | PDF

Comment to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
Addressing the drawbacks and negative impacts associated with the plan to defund attendant care pay
Coordinated by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute Staff | PDF

Testimony Before the House Financial Institutions Committee
Opposing restrictive time limits on consumers' ability to challenge issues with deposit accounts in SB 188
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, February 22, 2024 | PDF

Testimony Before the House Committee on Pensions and Labor 
Opposing HB 1093 - Employment of minors 
Presented by Lauren Murfree, Policy Analyst, February 16, 2024 | PDF

Testimony Before the Senate Insurance & Financial Institutions Committee
Opposing HB 1284 - Deposit Account Agreements and requesting consumer guardrails 
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, February 14, 2024 | PDF

Comment to the Indiana Broadband Office
Addressing the need for strong provisions to teach digital skills in Indiana's proposed Digital Equity Plan 
Coordinated by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute Staff | PDF

Comment to the Bipartisan Congressional Paid Family Leave Working Group
Addressing the potential benefits of federal action and considerations for a federal response
Coordinated by Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute Staff, January 30, 2024 | PDF

Testimony Before the Senate Commerce Committee
Addressing concerns related to the removal of child labor protections and limits on accountability mechanisms in SB 146
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, January 25, 2024  | PDF

Testimony Before the Senate Insurance & Financial Institutions Committee
Addressing consumer protection concerns related to SB 188
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, January 24, 2024  | PDF

Testimony Before the House Financial Institutions Committee
Addressing consumer protection concerns related to HB 1284
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, January 18, 2024  | PDF

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services
Supporting SB 2 - Child Care 
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, January 17, 2024  | PDF

Testimony Before the State and Local Tax Task Force
Addressing the need for a fair and sufficient tax structure
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, January 10, 2024  | PDF

2023 Testimony

Testimony Before the Health Care Cost Task Force
Addressing Health Care Costs in Indiana
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, September 29, 2023  | PDF

Testimony Before the Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services Interim Study Committee
Interim Study on Child Care
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, August 10, 2023  | PDF 

Testimony Before the House Family, Children, and Human Affairs Committee
Support SB 265 TANF eligibility
Presented by Erin Macey, Director, March 16, 2023  | PDF 

Testimony Before the House Committee on Financial Institutions
Oppose HB 1547
Presented by Andy Nielsen, Senior Policy Analyst, February 9, 2023 | PDF

Testimony Before the House Committee on Ways & Means
Support HB 1290 
Presented by Andy Nielsen, Senior Policy Analyst, January 18, 2023 | PDF

2022 Special Session Testimony

Testimony Before the House Ways & Means Committee
Neutral on HB 1001(ss) Various family and children matters
Presented by Jessica Fraser, Director, July 26, 2022  | PDF | Video (timestamp 44:54)

Neutral on HB 1001(ss) Various family and children matters 
Presented by Andy Nielsen, Senior Policy Analyst, July 26, 2022 |  PDF | Video (timestamp 46:34)

Testimony Before the Senate Appropriations Committee
Neutral on SB 2(ss) Fiscal matters
Presented by Jessica Fraser, Director, July 26, 2022  | PDF | Video (timestamp 1:19:03)

Neutral on SB 2(ss) Fiscal matter
Presented by Andy Nielsen, Senior Policy Analyst, July 26, 2022 |  PDF | Video (timestamp 1:21:33)

Past Sessions

Testimony Before the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee
Supporting SB 3 Administrative Authority | PDF | Video (timestamp 35:48)
Presented by Amy Carter, Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, January 12, 2022

Testimony Before the Senate Insurance & Financial Institutions Committee
Opposing SB 352 Supervised Consumer Loans |  PDF | Video (timestamp 2:12:24)
Presented by Andy Nielsen, Senior Policy Analyst, January 19, 2022

Testimony Before the House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee
Supporting HB 1361 TANF and Child Care Assistance Eligibility | PDF | Video (timestamp 2:41:55)
Presented by Jessica Fraser, Director, January 20, 2022

Comment to Department of Labor on Request for Information on Paid Leave
Public Comment | Download the PDF
Sent by Indiana Institute for Working Families on September 14, 2020

Comment to OCC on Proposal "National Banks & Federal Savings Associations as Lenders"
Public Comment on Proposed Rule | Download the PDF
Sent by Indiana Institute for Working Families on August 26, 2020

Letter to Indiana Delegation: Expand Paid Leave in Next COVID-19 Package
Joined by 50 advocates and 21 organizations |Download the PDF
Sent by Indiana Institute for Working Families on August 3, 2020

Testimony Before the Senate Insurance & Financial Institutions Committee
Supporting SB 407, Unlicensed Online Lending | Video |PDF
Presented by Erin Macey, Senior Policy Analyst, January 29, 2020

Testimony Before the Senate Insurance & Financial Institutions Committee
Opposing SB 395, Uniform Consumer Credit Code | Video | Blog
Presented by Erin Macey, Senior Policy Analyst, January 22, 2020

Testimony Before the Senate Education & Career Development Committee
Supporting HB 1628, Prekindergarten program eligibility | Video
Presented by Erin Macey, Senior Policy Analyst, March 27, 2019

Testimony Before the Senate Tax & Fiscal Policy Committee
Supporting HB 1141, Traffic amnesty program | Video
Presented by Amy Carter, Policy Analyst, March 26, 2019

Testimony Before the House Financial Institutions Committee
Opposing SB 613, Consumer credit | Video | PDF
Presented by Erin Macey, Senior Policy Analyst, March 26, 2019

Testimony Before the House Family, Children, & Human Affairs Committee
Supporting SB 440, TANF eligibility | Video
Presented by Jessica Fraser, Director, March 12, 2019

Testimony Before the Senate Commerce & Technology Committee
Opposing SB 613, Consumer credit | Video
Presented by Erin Macey, Senior Policy Analyst, February 21, 2019

Testimony Before the Senate Family & Children Services Committee
Supporting SB 440, TANF eligibility | Video
Presented by Jessica Fraser, Director, February 18, 2019 

Testimony Before the Senate Insurance & Financial Institutions Committee
Opposing SB 587, Consumer credit | Video
Presented by Erin Macey, Senior Policy Analyst, February 13, 2019 

Testimony Before the House Courts & Criminal Code Committee
Supporting HB 1141, Traffic amnesty program | Video
Presented by Erin Macey, Senior Policy Analyst, February 6, 2019

Testimony Before the House Financial Institutions Committee
Supporting HB 1495, Principal dwelling land contracts | Video
Presented by Amy Carter, Policy Analyst, February 5, 2019

Testimony Before the Senate Pensions & Labor Committee
Providing information on SB 496, Voluntary family leave insurance program | Video
Presented by Erin Macey, Senior Policy Analyst, January 30, 2019

Testimony Before the Senate Insurance & Financial Institutions Committee
Supporting SB 104, Small loans | Video
Presented by Erin Macey, Senior Policy Analyst, January 23, 2019

Testimony Before the House Financial Institutions Committee
Opposing HB 1136, Uniform Consumer Credit Code | Video
Presented by Erin Macey, Senior Policy Analyst, January 15, 2019

Testimony Before the Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee
Supporting SB 210, Driver's license reinstatement fees | Video
Presented by Amy Carter, Policy Analyst, January 8, 2019 

Testimony Before the Senate Pensions & Labor Committee
Supporting HB 1065, Occupational Licensing | PDF
Presented by Ann Radtke, Legislative and Communications Assistant, February 21, 2018

Testimony Before the Senate Pensions & Labor Committee
Supporting SR 25, Urging the legislative council to study paid leave | PDF
Presented by Erin Macey, Policy Analyst, February 21, 2018

Testimony Before the House Financial Institutions Committee
Opposing HB 1319, Small loans and unsecured consumer loans | PDF
Presented by Erin Macey, Policy Analyst, January 25, 2018

Testimony Before the House Utilities, Energy, and Telecommunications Committee
Supporting HB 1065, Broadband grants & high speed internet service | PDF | Video at 58:40
Presented by Amy Carter, Policy Analyst, January 24, 2018

Testimony Before the House Employment, Labor, & Pensions Committee
Supporting with amendments HB 1245, Occupational Licensing
Presented by Andrew Bradley, Senior Policy Analyst, January 23, 2018

Testimony Before the House Employment, Labor, & Pensions Committee
Supporting with amendments HB 1134, Drug addiction workforce recovery program
Presented by Andrew Bradley, Senior Policy Analyst, January 23, 2018

Testimony Before the Senate Family and Children Services Committee
Supporting SB 187, Child care
Presented by Erin Macey, Policy Analyst, January 18, 2018

Testimony Before the House Ways & Means Committee
Supporting HB 1002, Workforce funding and programs
Presented by Andrew Bradley, Senior Policy Analyst, January 17, 2018

Testimony Before the Senate Health Committee
Supporting SB 142, Maternal mortality review committee
Presented by Erin Macey, Policy Analyst, January 11, 2018

Testimony Before the Senate Family and Children Services Committee
Supporting SB 11, Eligibility for supplemental nutrition assistance| PDF | Video at 38:08
Presented by Amy Carter, Policy Analyst, January 11, 2018

Testimony Before the House Family, Children and Human Affairs
Supporting SB 154, Asset limitation for SNAP eligibility | Video at 51:50
Presented by Jessica Fraser, Director, March 15, 2017

Testimony Before the House Committee on Education
Supporting SB 108, Education matters | Video at 52:20
Presented by Andrew Bradley, Senior Policy Analyst, March 28, 2017

Testimony Before the House Committee on Employment, Labor, and Pensions
Supporting SB 253, Study of voluntary paid family and medical leave | Video at 37:50
Presented by Erin Macey, Policy Analyst, March 14, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development
Supporting HB 1004, Prekindergarten education | Video at 1:18:50
Presented by Erin Macey, Policy Analyst, March 9, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions
Opposing SB 245, Long term small loans | Video at 1:11:30
Presented by Jessica Fraser, Director, February 16, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor
Opposing SB 312, Use of criminal history information in hiring | Video at 1:25:30
Presented by Andrew Bradley, Senior Policy Analyst, February 15, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Family and Children Services
Supporting SB 527, TANF eligibility | Video at 2:24:25
Presented by Jessica Fraser, Director, February 13, 2017

Testimony Before the House Committee on Ways and Means
Supporting HB 1008, Workforce development | PDF | Video at 1:52:08
Presented by Amy Carter, Legislative Intern, February 7, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy
Supporting SB 364, Child care tax credits | PDF | Video at 2:04:16
Presented by Erin Macey, Policy Analyst, February 7, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Public Policy
Supporting SB 227, Foreclosure filing fee | Video at 14:44
Presented by Jessica Fraser, Director, February 1, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Pensions and Labor
Supporting SB 253, Study of voluntary paid family and medical leave | PDF | Video at 1:31:02
Presented by Erin Macey, Policy Analyst, February 1, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Military
Supporting SB 307, Veteran preference for employment and training | PDF | Video at 14:08
Presented by Amy Carter, Legislative Intern, January 31, 2017

Testimony Before the House Committee on Education
Supporting HB 1004, Prekindergarten education | PDF | Video at 3:27:39
Presented by Erin Macey, Policy Analyst, January 31, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development
Supporting SB 276, Prekindergarten education | PDF | Video at 3:20:30
Presented by Erin Macey, Policy Analyst, January 25, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Family and Children Services
Supporting SB 154, Asset limitations for SNAP eligibility | PDF | Video at 2:05:12
Presented by Jessica Fraser, Director, January 23, 2017

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development
Supporting HB 1248, EARN for Adult Students | PDF
Presented by Andrew Bradley, Senior Policy Analyst, February 17, 2016

Testimony Before the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee
Opposing HB 1109, Repeal of common construction wage | PDF | PowerPoint | Video
Presented by Derek Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, March 31, 2015

Testimony Before the House Ways and Means Committee
Support Testimony for SB 509, Scholarships and Grants | PDF
Presented by Andrew Bradley, Senior Policy Analyst, March 16, 2015

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Family and Children Services
Support Testimony for SB 549, Removal of asset limits for SNAP food assistance program | PDF
Presented by Derek Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, February 16, 2015

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Labor and Pensions
Informational Testimony for SB 416, Employees' right to scheduled employment | PDF
Presented by Derek Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, February 11, 2015

Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Family and Children Services
In Support of SB 129, Eligibility for child care voucher | PDF
Presented by Derek Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, February 9, 2015

Testimony Before the House Committee on Family, Children and Human Services
In Support of HB 1616, Eligibility for child care voucher | PDF
Presented by Derek Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, January 28, 2015

Testimony Before the Interim Study Committee on Employment and Labor
In Support of Work Sharing | PDF | Video
Presented by Derek Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, August 27, 2014

Testimony Before the Senate Pensions and Labor Committee
Addressing SB330, Better Skills for Adult Learners | PDF
Presented by Andrew Bradley, Senior Policy Analyst, February 21, 2014

Testimony Before the House Family, Children and Human Affairs Committee
Opposing HB1151, TANF Drug Testing | PDF
Presented by Derek Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, January 22, 2014

Response to 2013 Summer Study Work Share Questions | PDF
Presented by Derek Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, September 30, 2013 

Testimony Before the Unemployment Insurance Oversight Committee Summer Study
Supporting Work Sharing | PDF
Presented by Derek Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, September 30, 2013

Testimony before the House Committee on Employment, Labor and Pensions
Supporting HB1288, Work Sharing | PDF
Presented by Derek Thomas, Senior Policy Analyst, February 19, 2013

Testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee
Supporting SB185, Vehicle Use for Individual Development Accounts | PDF
Presented by Andrew Bradley, Senior Policy Analyst, January 24, 2013